Innovative Vessel in Guangdong Signals a New Era for Marine Farming

GUANGZHOU, China, 29th May, 2025 (WAM) — The inaugural launch of the global’s premier aquatic ecosystem transfer fish farming ship, Wan Qu Ling Ding, took place on Tuesday in Jiangmen, located within the Guangdong province. This event signifies an important advancement for China’s marine aquaculture sector.

Referred to as a "nursery aircraft carrier" and a "vast oceanic larder," this ship marks a new age of technologically driven maritime aquaculture. It aims to assist Zhuhai, Guangdong, in becoming a local center for marine activities, as stated by the Zhuhai government.

According to a report from China Daily, the vessel, which measures 155.8 meters in length and 44 meters in width, is equipped with 12 independent breeding compartments and has a breeding water capacity of approximately 80,000 cubic meters—equivalent to the volume of 32 standard swimming pools. Its annual fish production is estimated to range from 3,000 to 5,000 metric tons, a quantity comparable to that produced by a land-based fishpond covering over 3.33 million square meters.

The ship, owned by Zhuhai Ocean Development Group Co., received approval for construction in November 2022 and is scheduled to be delivered in August. Its primary operations will take place in the waters surrounding the Wanshan Islands in Zhuhai, close to the Pearl River estuary.

This ship will concentrate on cultivating premium fish varieties like golden pomfret, yellowtail amberjack, and groupers, aiding the merging of regional fisheries with the tourist sector.

The system utilizes an innovative design that merges the bow and stern sections with a column-stabilized hull. Additionally, it incorporates natural water exchange technology aimed at enhancing fish quality while reducing energy usage, according to the statement.

With a cruising range of up to 2,000 nautical miles, the vessel can navigate autonomously to avoid natural disasters such as typhoons and select optimal breeding waters. Its electric propulsion system enables so-called "maritime nomadism", which shortens the breeding cycle and boosts economic returns, said Huang Hongyu, Executive Director and General Manager of Jiangmen Hangtong Shipbuilding Co, which built the vessel.

"OUR firm aims to expedite the development of contemporary marine farms in Guangdong and assist in shaping a 'New Guangdong' offshore," stated Huang.

The ship comes with a 20-kilowatt wind-powered electrical generating system capable of fulfilling all stationary fish farming needs using entirely green energy, thus considerably cutting down on carbon emissions, noted Huang Chenguang, who leads the project as its chief engineer.

Sensors and automated feeding mechanisms have been incorporated into different sections of an aquatic farm. In case unusual water temperatures or contamination levels are identified, these sections can be elevated to minimize drag, allowing the boat to swiftly move to more secure areas, thus safeguarding the well-being and standard of the fish.

The vessel is the world's first mobile aquaculture platform designed by China in accordance with China Classification Society standards, and the country's first large-scale platform integrating intelligent aquaculture, energy conservation and eco-friendly fishing and tourism.

The Zhuhai government stated that by combining fisheries with marine tourism, the ship aims to promote a more varied maritime economy.

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